UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN

NSF Awards $15 Million to Iowa State-Led RuralSTAMINA Initiative for Biomanufacturing Innovation in Nebraska and Iowa

- The National Science Foundation has awarded $15 million over two years to the RuralSTAMINA initiative, with potential for up to $160 million over 10 years, to build a bioeconomy innovation ecosystem across Nebraska and Iowa. - RuralSTAMINA brings together approximately 70 public and private partners, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University, to advance biomass conversion and biomanufacturing. - The initiative aims to develop specialty products including pharmaceuticals, animal vaccines, and biologics while creating workforce development pathways from K-12 through higher education. - The global bioeconomy market, currently valued at approximately $4 trillion, is projected to grow to $10 trillion within the next five to ten years, positioning the region for competitive advantage.